Putin Hails Test of New Nuclear-Capable ICBM, Claims It's World's Most Powerful

On Tuesday, Russia conducted a test of a new intercontinental ballistic missile as part of its initiative to enhance its nuclear arsenal. President Vladimir Putin described the Sarmat missile, which is equipped with nuclear warheads, as "the most powerful missile in the world," asserting that its individually targeted warheads possess over four times the total power of any Western equivalent. He announced that the Sarmat, intended to replace the outdated Soviet-era Voyevoda, will be ready for combat by the year's end. This test follows Putin's recent statement that the conflict in Ukraine is approaching its conclusion, made after a military parade on Red Square on Saturday that marked the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II, notably lacking heavy weaponry for the first time in nearly twenty years. Since assuming power in 2000, Putin has focused on modernizing the Soviet-era elements of Russia's nuclear triad, introducing hundreds of new land-based intercontinental ballistic missiles, commissioning advanced nuclear submarines, and upgrading nuclear-capable bombers. Following the deployment of troops to Ukraine in February 2022, the Russian leader has frequently invoked nuclear threats to dissuade the West from increasing its support for Ukraine.